DC Comics Postpones Release of Batman Comic in Wake of Shooting

DC Comics has asked retailers to suspend sales of a Batman comic book in the wake of Friday's shooting spree at a Colorado screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" that left 12 dead and 58 injured.

DC Entertainment wrote an email to store owners Monday saying they are postponing for a month the release of the third issue of "Batman, Incorporated," because "the comic contains content that may be perceived as insensitive in light of recent events," the Associated Press reported.

But on Twitter, series illustrator Chris Burnham said there is "some grim imagery that would seem wholly inappropriate given the Aurora killings."

"It's not just a Batman comic with guns in it," he tweeted. "There's a specific scene that made DC & the whole Bat-team say 'Yikes.' Too close for comfort."

DC Entertainment requested that shops wait until Aug. 22 to sell the comic. The digital editions were also delayed.

"The book printed on time," said Burnham, who drew the comic written by Grant Morrison. "I'm looking at a copy on my desk right now. This isn't a scheduling excuse, we're trying to do the right thing."